Targówek Housing Estate

Targówek Mieszkaniowy is an area within the Targówek district of Warsaw, as defined by the Municipal Information System. Its boundaries extend from Radzymińska Street, through railway lines, up to the Bródno Cemetery and part of the former State Agricultural Farm. The name "Targówek" derives from its original name, Targowe Małe, a 15th-century noble village owned by the Targowski family. The history of Targówek dates back to 1580, when it was a small settlement, and its development accelerated significantly after its incorporation into Warsaw in 1916. In the 20th century, Targówek faced infrastructure challenges, and it was only in the 1970s that the construction of a modern housing estate began. Alongside contemporary buildings, fragments of traditional wooden architecture have been preserved. The estate was built between 1974 and 1979 based on architectural designs by Małgorzata Handzelewicz-Wacławek, Zbigniew Wacławek, and Jan Kalinowski, featuring distinctive urban circles that incorporate space for social infrastructure. In addition to housing, key landmarks in Targówek include the Rampa Theater, the stadium of the football club GKP Targówek, and the Stefan Wiechecki "Wiech" Park. The area retains numerous historical traces, and its evolution from a noble village to a modern estate reflects the dynamic changes that have taken place over the centuries. Targówek, originally part of Praga-Północ, became an independent district in 1994, granting it greater autonomy in managing local affairs and community development.